Series Preview: at Squadron

All-Time Record: 2-0

Last Meeting: 143-129 on 3/22

Streak: W2

The Sioux Falls Skyforce looks to complete the regular season series sweep of the Birmingham Squadron tonight. Behind 65 combined points from Mychal Mulder and Javonte Smart, the Skyforce handled the Squadron 143-129 on Tuesday night in the first of the back-to-back. It was just the second victory in the first game of a back-to-back this season. This was the first time the Skyforce scored 140-plus points since Jan. 7, 2017, as well.

Birmingham led by as many as 13 points in the second quarter, but a 22-10 Force run to end the first half tied the contest at 71-apiece. The Skyforce outscored the Squadron 72-58 in the final two periods, as Mulder posted 19 points on 5-7 3PA in the second half to help seal the victory.

Sam Thompson secured a regular season high 20 points on 7-11 FGA, nine rebounds and a team-high plus/minus of plus-31. Brandon Knight and HEAT two-way player Kyle Guy combined for 31 points on 12-22 FGA and eight assists to lead off the bench.

In the loss, the Squadron still shot 54.8% from the field (46-84 FGA). Eight players scored in double figures, as Jared Harper’s 20 points and nine assists led the way. Justin Wright-Foreman scored 16 of his 18 points in the first half to lead off the bench for Birmingham.

Sioux Falls is playing its best basketball of the season on the road right now, as they’ve won five of its last six road contests. Three of the final five contests are on the road to end the regular season. With the victory last night, the Force sits just 1.5 games back of the sixth and final Western Conference playoff spot. They are two games out of the fifth seed. The loss bumped the Squadron out of the sixth seed via a tiebreaker with Iowa.

The victory on Tuesday marked just the second time this season Sioux Falls has had two players score 30-plus points in a game. They are 2-0 when that happens. Also, the team moved to 11-2 this season when controlling the rebound battle (45-33 on Tuesday) and 11-3 when leading after three quarters.

The regular season home finale takes place after the Force returns home, with a two-game series with the OKC Blue on Saturday and Sunday. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 PM CST on Saturday and 3:00 PM CST on Sunday at the Sanford Pentagon. The Squadron travels to face the Texas Legends on Sunday, with tip-off at 5:00 PM CST.

WHAT: Skyforce at Birmingham Squadron

WHEN: 7:00 PM CST on Wednesday

WHERE: Legacy Arena at The BJCC

WATCH: ESPN+